Footloose ReflexologySevenoaks, Kent

Maria Frauenrath MAR

Hello, I'm Maria. I discovered reflexology for myself when I knew that stress was getting the upper-hand in my life. As a journalist, media trainer and humanitarian aid worker I had worked in many hot spots around the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans for 25 years of my working career. I had experienced the impact of stress on people around me, and also on myself. It was more or less by chance that I discovered reflexology. After a particularly difficult time abroad, I felt one day that I had to try out something to help me relax and re-balance myself again. And this is exactly what reflexology did for me. It grounded me again, quite literally.

As a result, I developed an increasing interest in this ancient natural therapy and wanted to learn more about it. I studied reflexology at the London School of Reflexology under Louise Keet (author of "The Reflexology Bible"), graduated (Level 3 Diploma) in December 2014 and set up my FOOTLOOSE business in early 2015. I am a Full Member of the Association of Reflexologists and have a special interest in clinical reflexology. Since my graduation, I studied online seminars approved by the Association of Reflexologists in "Cancer Care -Working with Complex Symptoms" and most recently on"Neuroreflexology" and attended a two-day workshop on "Wellness for People with Cancer" organised by Neal's Yard Remedies in Covent Garden, London.

As long as I can remember, I have been interested in holistic approaches to health and alternative and complementary ways of boosting well-being. As a volunteer therapist, I have worked in Kent's "Hospice in the Weald" since the summer of 2014 and in October 2016, I joined the team of volunteer therapists in the Pickering Cancer-Drop-In Center in Tunbridge Wells. There, anyone affected by cancer, whether patient or relative/carer can receive complementary therapy treatments for free.

For many years, I used to volunteer as a befriender, visiting lonely, elderly people in Sevenoaks at first on behalf of the Sevenoaks Volunteer Bureau and later on behalf of Age UK; in this capacity, I saw at first hand the connection between isolation and ill health.

And occasionally, I still take on work overseas to work with local journalists in countries of crisis.

Apart from my work, I love the outdoors, mountains, forests, the sea - anything nature (and all the products I use for my treatments are made from natural ingredients). I love animals, music and play the accordion, another stress-busting activity in my opinion - though not necessarily a view shared by my neighbours!